Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah today announced that the provincial government has begun distributing 200,000 Solar Home Systems (SHS) to low-income households, with plans to procure another 300,000 units on the directive of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

According to Sindh Chief Minister House information, this initiative aims to provide affordable and sustainable electricity, especially for families recovering from the 2022 floods. Addressing a distribution event organized by the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) at Banquet Hall near KPT Interchange, the chief minister stated that Sindh is also installing 270 MW solar power plants to supply electricity at Rs 9.80 per unit.

He highlighted the challenges faced by the Sindh government in promoting renewable energy, noting that federal restrictions on wind and solar projects hindered Sindh’s progress. As an alternative, the province turned to imported coal power plants to meet energy needs.

Reflecting on Sindh’s early solar initiatives, Shah recalled that in 2014, the government solarized 600 schools in Nagarparkar and launched two 25 MW solar power projects in Sukkur. However, he lamented that federal authorities refused approvals for further expansion, citing a supposed surplus in national electricity production. He questioned this claim, pointing out the persistent load shedding in Sindh, including Karachi.

To counter these obstacles, the Sindh government renewed its focus on green energy, but federal policies continued prioritizing imported coal-based power plants, such as those in Sahiwal. Shah noted that critics initially dismissed Thar coal as unsuitable for electricity generation, further delaying Sindh’s energy development.

He credited President Asif Ali Zardari for securing federal support by bringing then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Thar for the project’s inauguration. Despite financial challenges and lack of federal guarantees, the Sindh government proceeded with the project, securing loans under stringent conditions.

The Thar coal project started producing results in 2018, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari inaugurating the first 230 MW power plant. The final phase was launched by Interior Minister Bilawal Bhutto and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Shah stated that Thar coal now produces Pakistan’s cheapest electricity, and those who initially opposed it are now advocating for its expanded use.

To enhance energy transportation, the Sindh government is working with federal authorities to establish a dedicated railway line for Thar coal. Additionally, there is growing interest in using Thar coal in Pakistan’s cement industry as an alternative to expensive imported fuel.

Discussing Sindh’s solar initiatives, the chief minister emphasized that the 2022 floods highlighted the urgent need for energy resilience. The Sindh Solar Project, he explained, is a step toward energy independence, ensuring that families can power their homes, children can study, and businesses can operate despite adversities.

Under SSEP’s Component III, eligible households will receive heavily subsidized SHS kits for Rs 6,000. Each VeraSol-certified kit includes an 80W solar panel, a charge control unit, an 18AH lithium-iron phosphate battery, three LED bulbs, a mobile charging facility, an 18-inch DC pedestal fan, and a secure solar mounting frame.

The Sindh government is also collaborating with Chinese companies on wind-solar hybrid energy projects, including 350 MW and 75 MW initiatives finalized during President Zardari’s recent visit to China.

Shah reiterated the government’s commitment to providing 300 units of free electricity to low-income families, aligning with the PPP manifesto and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The distribution of 200,000 SHS kits is set for completion by July 2025, with 400 kits per district allocated weekly.

Sindh Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah stated that SHS distribution is being conducted equitably across all 30 districts, with NGOs like HANDS, SRSO, and SAFCO facilitating last-mile delivery. Beneficiaries were selected from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) database, focusing on families with a PMT score between 21 and 50.

‘The world is shifting to clean energy, and Sindh is determined to lead this transition with the support of the World Bank and development partners,’ the chief minister remarked, commending the energy minister and his team for their efforts.